Israel Suffers its First Casualty in Fight Against Hezbollah

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the death of Captain Eitan Itzhak Oster, 22, who was killed during fighting with Hezbollah operatives in a southern Lebanese village. This marks the first fatality in Israel's ongoing ground operation in Lebanon.

Captain Oster was a team commander in the Egoz Commando Unit and hailed from Modi’in. His death comes amid heightened tensions and conflict in the region, with ongoing military operations against Hezbollah.

Here is what else you need to know

In related developments, the IDF reported a barrage of around 40 rockets launched from Lebanon toward the Safed area shortly after Oster's death. The military confirmed that some of these projectiles were intercepted, but not all.

Additionally, several drones aimed at the Western Galilee were shot down by Israeli air defenses. However, one drone managed to reach its target and impacted in the Upper Galilee.

As part of its military response, the IDF stated it had conducted dozens of strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, continuing to target the terrorist group following the rocket fire. The situation remains tense as the IDF works to address the ongoing threats posed by Hezbollah in the region.

As of now, it isn't clear how many Israelis may end up laying down their lives, in the northern front. Israelis, to this day, remember their previous incursion into Lebanon as “Israel's Vietnam movement”.